2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Florida State’s Defensive Tackle Daryl Jackson Jr.

Florida State defensive tackle Daryl Jackson Jr. has steadily emerged as one of the more intriguing interior defensive line prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, building his profile on size, strength, and consistent trench play. A key contributor along the Seminoles’ defensive front, Jackson has proven capable of anchoring against the run while flashing disruptive upside as a pass rusher. That skill set, paired with a strong showing at last week’s Senior Bowl, has elevated his standing among NFL evaluators.

Jackson has been a multi-year contributor for Florida State, earning rotational snaps early in his career before growing into a dependable interior presence. Playing in a defensive system that emphasizes physicality and gap discipline, he has been tasked with controlling the line of scrimmage against some of the ACC’s most physical rushing attacks. 

Physically, Jackson looks the part of an NFL defensive tackle. He carries a thick, powerful frame with good length and functional strength, making him difficult to move off his spot. Against the run, he excels at absorbing contact, anchoring against double teams, and keeping linebackers clean. His heavy hands and ability to lock out blockers allow him to control gaps rather than simply occupy space, giving him added value on early downs.

As a pass rusher, Jackson’s game is built on power and persistence. He uses a strong bull rush to collapse the pocket and force quarterbacks to reset their feet, particularly when aligned over the guard. While he is not an elite quick-twitch penetrator, he flashes enough initial burst and hand strength to generate interior pressure. Continued refinement of counters, such as swipes and rip moves, could help him turn pressures into more consistent finishes at the next level.

Jackson’s Senior Bowl performance served as an important validation point for his draft projection. Throughout the week of practices, he consistently held his ground in one-on-one drills, showing the strength to anchor against NFL-caliber interior linemen. In pass-rush reps, he generated push with his bull rush and showed improved hand usage as the week progressed. During team sessions, his discipline stood out, as he maintained gap responsibility while still playing with effort and urgency.

Equally notable was Jackson’s approach during the week. He took coaching well, adjusted his technique between practices, and competed with a steady motor. That professionalism and adaptability reinforced the belief that his game will translate smoothly into an NFL environment, particularly in systems that value physical interior play.

Strengths

Run Defense Anchor

Strong at the point of attack with the ability to hold ground against double teams.

NFL Frame and Strength

Possesses the size and power teams look for in interior defensive linemen.

Power-Based Pass Rush

Effective bull rush collapses pockets and disrupts timing.

Gap Discipline

Assignment-sound defender who understands leverage and positioning.

Senior Bowl Validation

Held up well against NFL-caliber competition in all-star practices.

Weaknesses

First-Step Explosiveness

Lacks elite burst compared to top penetrating defensive tackles.

Pass-Rush Counters

Needs continued development of secondary moves to finish pressures.

Lateral Agility

Can be tested by quicker interior blockers in space.

Statistical Production

Impact does not always show up in sack totals despite consistent disruption.

Conclusion

Daryl Jackson Jr. projects as a high-floor interior defensive line prospect whose value lies in strength, reliability, and physical trench play. His performance at the Senior Bowl confirmed that his skill set translates against NFL-level competition, particularly as a run defender who can also generate pocket push.

Draft Nation currently views Jackson as a Day 3 prospect. In the right NFL scheme, Jackson has the tools to carve out an early rotational role and develop into a dependable interior presence capable of anchoring a defensive front.